Container



Jan. 20, 1959 D. D. DOERR ET AL CONTAINER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001'.. 4, 1955 END PNELS L VAL \l BOTTOM PANEL l INVENTORS -DALE D. DoERR L WHI WILLIAM H. GR\P 96M BY M ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1959 D. D. DOERR ET AL 2,869,750

v CONTAINER Filed Oct. 4, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 DALE D. Dot-:RR

wlLuAM H. emp

l@ m ///Q ATTORNEY Jan. 20, y1959 D. D. DOER'R E-T AL 2,869,750

CONTAINER 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed OCT.. 4, 1955 l Q l 1 72. INVENTORS DALE D. DOERIR WILLIAM H. GRIP ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1959 A D. D. DOERR ET AL 2,869,750

CONTAINER Filed oct. 4, '1955 s sheets-sheet 4 INVENTORS DALE D. DOERR A' WILLIAM H.Y'GRIP f ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1959 D. D. DOERR ET AL CONTAINER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed oct. 4. 1955 ---llillv 4INVENTOR S ATTORNEY WILLIAM H. GR\P Jam 20) 1959 D. Dor-:RR E-rAl. 2,869,750

'CONTAINER Filed oct. 4, 1955 e sheets-sheet e 33 .E5-'5. zb. INVENTORS DALE D. DOERR wlLLlAM H. GRU

i BY

United States CNTAINER Dale D. Doerr, Palos Parli, and 'William H. Grip, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Kaiser Aluminum 8s Chemi cal Corporation, (Parkland, Calif., a corporation of Della ware Application onesti s, 195s, serial No. esami 9 claims. (ci. 22a- 4) This invention relates toV cargo shipping containers. More particularly, it is concerned with providing a novel knock-down shipping container of extremelyrugged construction wherein novel means are provided for easily and securelyl locking together the various components thereof and for stacking the containers `one upon the other. Novel means adapting the containers for trans# port by endless conveyors and the like are also provided. The novel shipping container of the instant invention constitutes an improvement over the cargo shipping con tainer disclosed in application Serial No. 457,639, led September 22, 1954, Donald L. Richter inventor.

Various shipping containers of the collapsible or knockdown type have been proposed in the past. These con` tainers, however, have not been completely satisfactory for various reasons. One of the principal reasons is the fact that these containers had to be made of strong and extremely heavy weight materials, such as steel, so that the containers would be capable of withstanding the abuse to which they were ordinarily subjected. When heavy weight construction materials 'are used, the weight of the container itself is also increased and this in turn leads to diiiculty in handling, as well as' a reduction in the pay load which can be safely carried when the containers are transported by truck, railway cars, etc. e

Furthermore, even though the containers proposed in the past were made in such a manner that they could be knocked down and disassembled for return shipment while occupying a minimum` amount of shipping space, the construction did not lend itself to ease of assembly and dismantling. This factor tends to add to shipping costs because of the time and labor involved in packing and unpacking the goods carried by the containers. In addition, the containers were ordinarily so constructed that special tools were needed to assemble or disassemble the various elements thereof. lt was also not usually possible in the case of these containers to remove only the top or either of two sides of the container to gain access to the interior of the container without disturbing or removing the other parts of the container. This in turn added to the difliculties in loading and unloading and required a large amount of work space" during such operations. When the containers were stacked one upon the other, it was virtually impossible to gain access tothe lowermost container without disturbing those resting on the same. Difliculties were also experienced in satisfactorily stacking and handling the containers yby a` fork lift truck as Well as by endless conveyors and the like.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel knock-down container which, because of its construction and the particular arrangement of its respective parts, is very ruggedeven` when made of lightweight metals, such as aluminum, magnesium, and the various alloys thereof.

novel knockdown container which can be easily assembled or dismantled in a minimum amount of space and' Without the need of special tools.

assesses Patented dan. 20, 1959 ICC A further object of this invention is toprovide a novel knockdown container,` the "top of which, or either one of two sides individually or any combination of top and sides can be removed withou'tdisturbing or dismantling the rest of the container body, thereby providing easy access to the interior oi the container.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a novel knockdown container whereinfthe sides, enlds, bottom and top thereof are provided with novel cam hinge means whereby they can be quickly drawn together in a releasably, but securely locked condition when the container is being assembled.

A. further object of this invention is to provide a novel container with novel stacking means lwhich not only enable the ycontainer'to be easily stacked with similar containers, but also serve as restraining means or shear tie means for the sides and `ends of the container.

it is another object of this invention `to provideV a collapsible cargo container provided with novel skid and stacking means whereby the container can be easily and conveniently handled by a fork lift truck, endless conveyors, or other container handling equipment.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a novel knockdown container provided with means whereby the container can be securely and conveniently lashed to the deck or lloorof a truck, railroad car, or airplane, or toa similar container during stacking or shipment of the same. e i

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel knockdown' container having eyelet means associated therewith whereby the container can be readily aixed to the shroud lines of a parachute in the event the container is tobe dropped by parachute from a moving airplane.

lt is another object of this ihvention to provide a novel novel collapsible container, the interior of which can be compart'nientalized quickly `and conveniently.

Preis another objectof this invention to provide a novel knockdown container provided with novel skid rneans or support means whereby the container can be con-` veniently carried or transported by an endless conveyor or the like. l i

These andioth'er objeet `o`f the instant invention are accomplished by providing a novel knockdown cargo container having bottom, top, side an-d end members. Novel cam hinge means are employed for releasably securing the bottom edges of the end and side members to the outer peripheral portions of the bottom member intermediate the corners thereof. Novel means are further vprovided along the vertical edges of the side and end members for removably nesting adjacent vertical edges of theseveral end an-d side members within each other. Further novel cam hinge means are also provided along one marginal edgeof the top member so that the top member can releasably engage the upper edge of one of the end members. Upstandirig novel `cleat elements are secured to the top member at the corners thereof and additional` lower cleat elements are dependingly attached to the bottom member. Theee' lower cleat elements are in vertical alignment with the opstanding cleat members and are engageable` therewith when one container is stacked upon another. ln addition, novel `skid members which intert with thebottom cleat members are also employed on at least two ends of the container whereby the containercan be carried by an endless conveyor without at the same time interfering with the otherwise normal stacking operations that might be involved in stacking one container upon the other. Secondary skid members may also be employed: T heee secondary skid members may be aiixed toV the bottom member intermediate the first mentioned skid members;

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it isv contemplated that suitable means may also be provided asoman Si for dividing the interior of the container into a plurality of compartments, and in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cleat members on the top and bottom members of the container may also be furthe provided with suitable eyelets or the like.

These and other objects of the instant inventio-n will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational perspective view of the novel knockdown container of the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partially diagrammatic, showing one or more containers in a collapsed condition, with the various panels thereof being stacked o-ne upon the other and with the individual containers being stacked one upon the other;

Fig. 3 is a broken sectional view through the front end of the container shown in Fig. l when taken along lines 3--3 thereof and with parts broken away for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 4 is a bro-ken sectional view through the back end of the container shown in Fig. 1 when taken along lines 4-4 thereof and with parts broken away for the sake of clarity;

Fig. S is a broken sectional view taken through one side of the container shown in Fig. 1 when taken along lines 5 5 thereof;

Fig. 6 s a vertical sectional view taken through a corner of the container shown in Fig. 1 when taken along the lines 6-6 thereof and with parts removed for the sake of clarity; t

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the end por tions of two of the frame members used to make up the bottom panel of the container and shows the arrangement for connecting the frame members together and to a bottom cleat;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view with parts broken away of the container;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of the corner portion of two nested containers and discloses the manner in which one container may be conveniently stacked upon another by use of the novel cleat and skid members of the instant invention;

Fig. l is a plan view partially broken away o-f a releasable clip member which may be used for securing adjacent panel sections of the container' together; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a bottom corner cleat member.

By further reference to the drawings wherein the same reference numerals have been applied to identical parts, the no-vel knockdown container of the instant invention is generally comprised of a bottom panel section or member 1; a pair of end panel sections or members 2;

a pair of side panel sections'or members 3. In the preferred embodiment of the invention each panel section is generally comprised of a frame made up of four aluminum extrusions to be more fully described hereinafter, suitably tied together, and a corrugated sheet also of aluminum, mounted with channels in the extrusions.

More particularly, the bottom panel section 1 is cornprised of four framing members 5, each of which is of similar configuration in cross-section. When framing members 5, which may be advantageously made in the form of eXtrusions, are secured together at their ends, they form a suitable framework for a corrugated sheet 6, which together with the frame members completes the bottom panel section 1. Each of the extruded frame members 5 is so formed that it is provided with an inwardly directed open channel portion 7 defined by inside and. outside flanges S and 9, respectively.

The inside portions of `iianges 8 and 9 are also advantageously provided with shoulder portions lil and lltl, the functions of which will be described hereinafter. As indicated particularly in Figs. 4 and 5, fianges S and 9 are joined by an integral web portion l1. Web porm tion 1l includes a converging inside curved wall 12 and the angular outside wall 13. Web 11 is further provided with an inwardly directed J-shaped hook portion 14. J-shaped portion f4 is separated from wall l2 by a recess or cam groove 15. As particularly indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, the several frame members 5 making up the frame for the bottom panel section l are secured together in the following manner. The one extremity of one frame member 5 is partially overlapped with the adjacent eX- tremity of another frame member 5 in such a way that an angular recess 7 is provided at the point where the outer peripheries of the two members would ordinarily intersect. ll'hus, as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7 the flange 9 ofone frame member 5 is partially overlapped by the flange 9 of the adjacent frame member, while the flange of the first mentioned panel member is partially oven lapped by the flange S of the adjacent panel member. The two adjacent frame members 5 are then slid together in overlapping engagement until the flange 9 of one frame member abuts the shoulder itl of the adjacent frame member and the flange 8 on the second mentioned frame member abuts the shoulder portion 10 on the adjacent frame member. Thereafter the top or inside iiange 3 at the ends of adjacent frame members 5 are secured together through the medium of a bolt or rivet 17 and the bottom or outside fianges 9 are secured together by a bolt or rivet i8. After the several frame members making up the bottom section are secured together in the manner described above, the margins of the corrugated sheet 6 are then disposed within the open channel 7 of the several frame members and stapled by staples 6 or otherwise secured to the flanges 8 and 9 of the several frame members as indicated particularly in Figs. 5 and 6.

Each end panel section 2 is comprised of four similarly shaped frames 2t) which may be advantageously made in the form of aluminum extrusions. Eachv of the frames 2f) in turn is comprised of a channel 20 defined by a long outside flange 2i and a -short inside ange 22. Inside flange 22 is further provided with a shoulder portion 23 and outside flange 2l with a shoulder portion 23. Flanges 2li and 22 in turn are joined together by a suitable web portion 24 formed integrally therewith. Web portion 24 includes the curved inside wall element 25 and curved outside wall element 26. Web 24 is also provided with a lip portion 27. In making up the suitable framework consisting of the frame members 20 for each of the end panel sections 2 it is contemplated that frame members 2f) be secured together generally in the same fashion as the frame members 5 for the bottom panel section 1. Thus, the ,individual frame members 20 adjacent their ends would be partially overlapped and slid together in such a fashion that the ange 22 o-n one frame member would overlap and be slid along the flange 22 on an adjacent frame member until the flange 22 of the one mem ber engages the shoulder portio-n 23 on the flange 22 of the adjacent frame member, and flange 21 on the second frame member 2d engages the shoulder portion 23 on the first frame member 20. Thereafter, the frame members would be secured together by suitable bolts 22' thrust through the anges 2l and 22 at their points of overlap. After the several frame members 29 have been secured together in the manner indicated, the outer margins of the corrugated sheets 6, preferably of aluminum, is disposed within the channels 20' of the several frame members 2@ and secured to the flange portions 22 and 21 of the several frame members 2@ by means of staples 6 or any other suitable fastening means Well known in the art. Each of the side panei sections 3, as particularly indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, is comprised of a top and bottom frame member 20, previously described, connected together by two spaced vertical frame members 28. As indicated particularly in Figs. 5 and 6, frame members 2S are substantially identical to frame members 5 except that they lack the J-shaped element 14 on the web portion 11. When the adjacent ends of frame members 28 and 20,

as indicated in 3, l and 6, are secured together in apartially overlapped condition, a corrugated sheet 6 is disposed within the channel openings 7 and 20' of the frame members Z8 and 2d, respectively', and secured to the inside and outside flanges of the several members in the same manner as corrugatedsheet 6 forthe end and bottom panel sections.

The top panel section si of the collapsible container of the instantinvention is constructed in `the following manner. Fig. 4, is provided with a frame member 3l) similar in constructionto the frame member S previously described. The frame member forthe front end of the top d consists of a frame member 2.3 also previously described. As particularly indicated in Figs. l and 5, frame mem bers 28 are also used as the side frame members fo-r the top panel section 4l. When the several frame members 30 and 28 have been secured together in the same manner as the frame sections 5 described above for the bottom panel section l, a suitable framework will be provided within which a corrugated sheet may be inserted in the manner previously described in connection with the assemblage o-f the bottom, end and side panel sections.

In order to assemble the container all that is necessary is to insert the lip portion 27 on the lowermost channel f member Ztl of each of the side panel sections 3 within the recess l5 providedby the J-shaped portion 14 in the channel frame member 5 of the bottom panel section. Thereafter, by pivoting the side panel sections 3 inwardly, the lip 27 will be cam hinged and be removably but securely seated within the recess of the bottom frame members 5. The end panel sections 2 in turn are cam hinged to the botto-m panel section in a similar fashion. It is also to 'be noted that each recess 15 is of such a configuration that a small amount of open spa-ce will exist therein at all times to allow for proper pivoting and freedom of movement of the lip 27 therein.

As the ends and side panel sections are assembled it will be noted by reference to Fig. 6 that the vertical edges of adjacent side and end panel sections 2 and 3 will advantageously nest one within the other. This occurs, for example, as the curved inner wall of the The back end thereof, as indicated particularly in frame member 2d on an end panel section abuts the t curvedwall portion l2 on the frame member Ztl of an adjacent side panel section 3.

For the purposes of removably locking the side panel sections to the end panel sections, it is contemplated that several suitable retaining clips 35 be employed. Only four such clips are needed although more may be employed, if desired. Each of these clips is pivotally anchored by a strap 36 to a vertical frame member 2S for the side panel sections 3. One end of the strap 36 is anchored by means of the rivets or pins 36 to the frame member 23, while the other end is first looped over the free end 37 of the clip 35'. A helical spring detent 37 is also secured to the free end of the clip 35 as indicated particularly in Fig. l0. The elongated side elements lil o-f the clip member are advantageously provided with an offset portion (il. Thus, when the retaining clip is pivoted inwardly, offset portion il will pass over and frictionally engage the outside flange 2l on one of the vertical frame members 2li for the end panel sections and securely ancho-r a side panel section 3 to the adjacent end panel section 2. lf desired, wear plates 42, as indicated particularly in Figs. l and l0, may be secured about the outside flange Zl of the frame member 2@ at its point of contact with the clip 35.

lt will be noted by referring to Figs. 3 and lt), that the offset portion 4l on trie upper part of the retaining clip 35 will advantageously nest and recede within one of the valleys in the corrugated sheet 6 for an endl panel section so that it will not project outwardly where it might come into contact with some external object to become loosened and allow disengagement of the side and end panel sections. When in a knockdown condit5 tion, the retaining clip 35 may also be advantageously recessed within one of the corrugations of the side panel section 3. After the retaining clips at the four corners of the collapsible container have been placed in locking position, the top panel section d may then be secured to the container. In order to secure the top panel section l to the ends and side panel sections,.it is only necessary, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, to cam hinge the lip 27 on the top frame section Ztl for the back end panel section 2 within the recessed portion 15 on the web lll of the rear frame element 36 of the top panel section d. Thereafter, by pivoting the topl panel section or lip 4 downwardly or inwardly, the container top panel section will be set in place. It will be noted that when the top panel section is in place, the curved inner wall portions l2 of the front, end and side frame members 2d of top panel section 4 will abut and freely nest with the curved inner walls 25 on the top horizontal frame members Ztl of the front end panel section 2 and the side panel sections 3. ln order to securely lock the top panel section d in place, one or more retaining clips and strips 35 and 36, both of which have been previously described, may be employed.

The side and end members 2 can engage and support the peripheral edge of the bottom member 1 performing as a supporting beam along its bottom member edge between the bottom corner cleat, since the weight of the cargo which rests on the corrugated sheet 6 of the bottom l is transferred to the extrusions 5.

ln an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is also contemplated that suitable means be provided for stacking or nesting the containers one upon the other.

For this purpose it is contemplated that suitable bottom cleats Si@ be secured in a depending fashion to the bot-y tom panel section l at the four corners thereof.

These bottom cleats, which may be made in the form of an aluminum casting, are each roughly tl-shaped in top plan view. Each of the cleats 5@ is provided with angularly disposed and intersecting outside legs 6l and dit. Outside leg dl is disposed upon an inwardly directed base member d3, while the top of leg till is connected to an inwardly directed supporting ange 6d. Disposed between base member 63 and the top flange od is an angularly disposed supporting web member 65, web member ofi in turn being disposed at an angle with respect to leg el.. Web 65 also tapers downwardly and inwardly from the flange to the base member 63'.

The end of leg 6l which is most closely adjacent to the leg o2 terminates in an inwardly directed wall element do and the upper part of Wall element 6o extends beyond the top surface of the flange 6d.

`Coterrninus with wall 66 is another wall 68 and generally similar in extent and configuration to wall 66. Wall dll inturn extends above a top flange 69 connected to the upper extremity of the outside leg 62. The bottom entremity of leg d2 is connected to an inwardly directed base member 7@ which is offset with respect to the base member 63 and is connected thereto `by means of the web portion '7l as indicated particularly in Pig. 7. By offsetting the base member itl with respect to the base member o3 a recess '72 is provided between the two base elements. An angular web member '73 connects liange 69 with the base member 7u. Extending below in a depending fashion from the base member '70 in substantial vertical alignment with the web member 73 vis a foot member 74, as clearly indicated in Figs. 7, 9 and ll.

As indicated particularly in Fig. ll, foot member 74 constitutes a side wall for the corner recess or pocketl 74' in the cleat Sil. Wall 67 projects inwardly at a transverse angie to leg 6l and forms the other side wall for pocket 7d. Pocket 74 also includes the inside wall 75', .an upwardly and outwardly inclined surface '76', and the upper wall segment 7d which merge with the walls do and" ab: A suitable eyelet 76 is` also advantageously provided and this eyelet is adapted to bridge the two gesoffen i! walls 66 and 68 adjacent the upper portions thereof. The top flanges 64 and 69 are each provided with suitable apertures 77', which apertures are adapted to register with similar apertures in two angular-ly disposed and locked frame sections 5, to the bottom panel section 1 as indicated in Fig. 7. When these apertures have been placed in registry and suitable bolts or rivet members 77' are inserted therethrough, the bottom cleat will be secured to the bottom panel section 1.

Due to the particular overlapping relationship de scribed above of each of the individual frame sections 5 for the bottom panel section t( adjacent the four corners of the container as indicated in Fig. 7l it will usually be necessary to insert or lodge a shim member 78 between the ange 9 on one of the frame sections 5 for the bottom panel section 2 and the top iiange 6d or 69 on the bottom cleat member in order to obtain a proper ush it between a bottom cleat and a bottom panel section 2.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it will also be noted that the cleat member is secured to the bottom panel section l in such a fashion that the upstanding wall elements 66 and 63 of the several feet 61 and 6?. which project upwardly for a substantial distance above the flanges 69 and 6d of the cleat member will be in abutting relationship with the terminal end portions of each of the frame members 5 of the bottom panel section as these wall portions 66 and 68 are inserted in the angular recess 7 and pocket 74 in a cleat member 5t) at the corner of the bottom panel section. The cleat member thus not only helps to fill in the space between these two members at this point, but also serves as an angle bracket preventing angular displacement of adjacent frame sections 5 with respect to another. In effect, the bottom cleat therefore rigidies the bottom panel section 2 formed by the individual frame members 5 and provides a shear tie between the individual frame members.

it will also be observed that the upper portions yof walls 66 and 6d on each of the cleat members also projects upwardly a suilicient distance so that one of the walls 68 or 66 will abut the lower frame section Ztl on an end panel section 2 while the other abuts the lower frame section 2@ on a side panel section 3. This arrangement is possible because of the manner in which the adjacent frame sections Ztl for an end panel section and adjacent frame sections and 2S for the side panel section are partially overlapped and secured together as heretofore described. When wall 66 or 68 -of cleats Si) are so located, however, they do not interfere with the normal pivotal movement or securing of the side and end panel sections 3 and 2 to the. bottom panel section l. These cleats further rigidity the container during its assembly and use by blocking the bottom panel member E., the side panel member 3 and end panel members 2 against relative translation ror displacement with respect to each other.

in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it will be noted that suitable skid members, which may be in the form of extruded tube members 70 are disposed along at least two panel sections of the container such as along the front and end panel sections 2. The opposite extremities of each tubular skid member 70' is received within the recess 72 formed in the opposing cleat members Sti. The upper portion of the tubes at their extremities is then secured to the bottom base 7@ at the bottom of the leg 62 of a cleat member Si) by bolt means 72'. if desired, intermediate cleat members 73', as indicated particularly in Figs. l, 8 and 3, may also be used as additional support and rigidiying mediums, these intermediate cleat members being secured to an extruded frame section 5 for the bottom panel 1 and in turn to the tubular member 7b by suitable bolt means 72. n addition to the use of the outside skid members 7u' attachable directly to the cleat members 5), it is also contemplated in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, that additional skid members '74', as indicated particularly in Fig. 8, may also be used. These latter skid members l conveyors of different widths by simply straddling the conveyor by means of either the inside skid members 74 or the outside skid members 70. l

Each of the four corners of the top panel section 4 is advantageously provided with opstanding top cleats Sii. These top cleats, which may be made in the form of aluminum castings, are roughly X-shaped in top plan.

view. They are provided with interior verticai walls di and i2 and exterior vertical walls S3 and 6d. A horizontal web portion connects vertical walls 8i and 53 while horizontal web portion 86 connects vertical walls S2 and tid. A suitable eyelet 87 is employed to bridge the vertical walls 83 and 84. By particular referenceto Figs. i, 4 and 5 it will be noted that vertical walls 8d and 33 of top cleats r1.6 extend downwardly weil below the bottom extremities of the frame members 28 and 30 for the top panel section li. Thus, walls 83 and 84 are in abutting relationship with the terminal end portions or" adjacent frame members 28 and 3d, or 28 and 2b for the top panel sections 4 at the point where they are joined and partially overlapped. They are also inserted in the gap or angular opening which occurs between the frame members 28 and 3b due to the partial overlapping of the frame member as previously discussed. in addition, during assemblage of the container due to the large overhang of walls S3 and 84, these walls will also fit within the angular recesses occurring in the corners of the end and side panel sections 2 and 3 at the points Where the respective frame members 2@ on the end panel sections 2 and 2t) and 28 on the side panel sections 3 are partially overlapped and joined. Thus, the vertical walls S4 and 83 of the top cleats serve as an antidisplacement bracket for two adjacent frame members making up the top panel section i as well as an antidisplacement bracket for the end and side panel sections 2 and 3 without at the same time interfering with the normal pivotal movement of either the end, side or top panel sections during assemblage or disassemblage of the container. If desired, the exposed outside sharp corners of walls 83 and $4 may be cut away and the top and bottom exposed parts of walls S4 and 33 slightly curved. This will obviate any possibility of damage to these walls during use of the container. The horizontal walls 85 and 86 are adapted to be secured to the individual frame sections 28 and/ or Si) by means of bolts or the like.

it is to be further observed that vertical inside walls 32 and Si taper downwardly and inwardly. They thus provide inclined surfaces which are adapted to be engaged by the similarly inclined wall portions '76 intermediate the walls 7d and 67 of the pocket 74 in each of the bottom cleat members 50 when the containers are disposed one upon the other. This type of contact between the top and bottom cleat members provides for firm and rigid engagement between the two containers at all four corners of the containers. Displacement between two containers in any one direction is also eifectively prevented. When the containers are nested or stacked one upon the other, suhcient space will be left between them due to the length of the bottom cleats 50 for the forks of a fork lift truck to be inserted. In all instances, sucient space is provided between the bottom panel 2 and the top of the skids whereby the forks of a fork lift truck may be inserted.

In addition, by recessing the opposite extremities of the tubular skid members 7b within the recesses 72 provided in two opposing cleat members, any interference between proper alignment and resting of a top cleat member within a botto-m cleat member will be obviated.

'It is also to be noted that because of the manner in They are directlyl attachable' assesso- `stepped recessed portion 72.will occur on the left-hand side of the cleat as viewed` in Fig; l instead of on the right-hand side. i

1t is also a noteworthyfeature in the container of the instant invention that it is possible` toremoveindividually j either a side section` or wall or even two side walls simultaneously without seriously disturbing the remaining parts of the container and bringing about its collapse. This can also be done when the co-ntainer stands alone or is stacked above or below another container. As a result, easy access is had to the contents of the container at all times. If desired, suitable means may also be provided for dividing the interior of the` container whenV assembled into a series of compartments. For this purpose, suitable plate members 9i) and 9i may be employed. As indicated in Fig. 3, plate 90. may be pivotally attached in a suitable fashion to the topmost panel section d and plate 9i may be pivotally attached to the bottom panel section l. When these plates are pivoted` inwardly they may be locked together with suitable hook means 95.

From the foregoing description it will be obviousthat a novel collapsible containerhaving numerous noteworthy features has been provided by the instant invention, which features are not present in prior art containers of this type. The inherent rigidity and strength alforded by the particular assemblage of the several parts thereof provides for eXtreme ruggedness and allows all parts thereof to be made from aluminum or other lightweight metals. The container can be assembledor dismantled in a minimum amount of time without tools of any kind. lt is provided with means, such as eyelets 7 on the top cleats 80 and eyelets 76 in the bottom cleats t?, whereby the containers may be secured to hoisting hooks, parachutes, shroud lines or deck lashing lines. When thecontainers are stacked one upon the other, ropes or wires may be run through these eyelets and the containers lashed together. Furthermore, the top and bottom cleats are located in substantial vertical alignment with each other and do not protrude outwardly beyond the peripheral edges of the side and end panel sections where they could be contacted by a foreign object and become seriously damaged or fractured.

The rugged construction of the container, and particu larly the corner portions thereof, enables the container to withstand admirably well the abuse` and rough handling normally encountered during the life ot the same. Accessibility to the contents of the container from many points without completely knocking the container down has also been provided for. ln addition, one or more of these containers can be readily transported in a knockdown condition by simply stacking them one upon the other as indicated in Fig. 2. l

An advantageous embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosed and described. it is 4obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims, wherein what is claimed is:

1. In a cargo container, the combination of bottom, side, end and top members, cam hinge means on the marginal edges of said bottom member intermediate the corners thereof and providing a space at the point of intersection of adjacent marginal edges, cleat elements mounted within the spaces so formed and secured to the bottom member, each of said cleat elements comprising a member having a plurality of downwardly opening individual pockets, cooperating cam hinge means on the bottom marginal edges of the side and end members reeasably engaging the cam hinge means on the marginal 10 edges of the-bottom member, means releasably together the adjacent vertical edges of contiguous side and end members in vertical planes coextensive with the top of the said cleat elements, `cam means releasably and pivotally securing one marginal` edge of the top member to the uppermarginal edge of an` end member, clip means aflixed to the outside. surface of said side, end, and top members releasably securing said side and` end members together and said top member to an end member, cleat elements secured to the top member adjacent the four corners thereof, each of said last mentioned cleat elements being located in vertical alignment with the contiguous nested side and` end members and the cleat `element located therebelow, whereby each of said bottom cleat elements can receive in one of said plurality of individual pockets the top cleat element of a similar container when one container is` stacked on the other, and skid members affixed. to the bottom cleat elements at opposed ends of the container, the ends of said skid members being received in the other of said plurality of downwardly opening pocketsin each of said bottom` cleat elements such that the bottom surfaces of said` skid members are located in substantially the same plane as the bottom surfaces of the cleat elements aixed to said bottom member. i

2. The combination defined in claim` 1, including secmembers.

3. The combination defined in` claim 1, including eye-4 let means on saidcleat elements.

4. The combination delined in claim l, including means dividing` the interior of the. container into a plurality of compartments.

5. ln` a cargo container of the type described, the combination `of bottom, top, side and end members, means removably locking adjacent side and end members together, means removably locking said top member to an end member, upstanding cleat elements mounted within recessed portions of the top member at the corners thereof and secured thereto, portions of said cleat elements extending downwardly past the top member and in between the corner portions of adjacent end and side members, lower cleat elements, each of which has a plurality of downwardly opening pockets dependingly mounted within recessed corner portions of said bottom member and secured to said bottom member, said lower cleat elements also being in vertical alignment with the upstanding cleat elements secured to said top member, said lower cleat elements being further provided with upstanding wallvportions projecting upwardly beyond portions of said bottom member and between portions of adjacent side and end members, skid members sccured to said lower cleat elements along opposing ends of said container, each of said skid members having its ends disposed in one of said plurality of downwardly opening pockets included in said lower cleat elements such that the lower surface of said skid members are in substantially the same plane as the bottom surfaces of the lower cleat elements.

6. In a cargo carrier of the type described, the combination of bottom, top, side and end walls, means removably locking said bottom wall to said sideand end walls intermediate the corners of the container, means removably locking adjacent side and end walls together,

means removably locking said top Wall to an end wall, opstanding cleat elements mounted within recessed portions of the top Wall at the four corners thereof and secured thereto, lower cleat elements secured. to said bottom wall, said lower cleat elements also being in vertical alignment with the upstanding cleat elements on said top wall, portions of said last mentioned cleat elements projecting upwardly beyond said bottom wall and into recessed corner portions of adjacent end and side walls, said upstanding cleat elements having inside portions nesting .including top, bottom, side and end panels removably interconnected to define a closed receptacle and cleat means carried on said top panel adjacent to and within the exteror marginal corners dened by the intersection of said side and end panels, cleat means atixed to said bottom panel and having a plurality of pockets provided therein, certain of which are adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned cleat means to facilitate stacking of similar containers one on top of the other, the improvement comprising skid means attached to said last mentioned cleat means, said skid means being comprised of parallel tube-like members having terminal ends, said terminal ends being inserted within other pockets provided in said last cleat means such that the bottom surfaces of said skid and said cleat means are in a common. horizontal plane and easy stacking of similar containers may be eiiected.

t 8. A knock-down container structure as defined in claim 7, wherein said bottom cleat means comprises a plurality of castings, each of which includes upstanding means adapted to engage the edges of a side and end panel at the corners defined by the intersection f two such panels.

9. In a knock-down container including a plurality of removably assembled side, end, top and bottom panels,

y12 said top panel including cleat means disposed at the corners thereof, the improvement comprising a plurality of cleat members aixed to said bottom panel at the corners thereof and adapted to cooperate with said cleat means on the top panel of a similar container to `facilitate stacking of such similar containers, each of said cleat members comprising a casting having angularly` disposed, diverging and spaced parallel flanges andy Vertically disposed angularly intersecting walls, the uppermost of said flanges being in a common plane, the lower most of said flanges being offset vertically with respect to one another to define a recess, skid meanscomprising elongated tube-like elements having flat surfaces connected with said bottom cleat members, the ends of each of said tube-like elements being disposed in said recess in each of said castings, the lowermost surface of each skid being coplanar with respect to the lowerrnost of said offset flanges.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,320,312 Byars Oct. 28, 1919 2,070,346 Woodruff Feb. 9, 1937 2,457,841 Smith et al. Jan. 4, 1949 2,613,836 Newhall et al. Oct. 14, 1952 2,643,788 `Burrows June 30, 1953 2,664,219 Schmidt Dec. 29, 1953 2,688,493 Rosenberg Sept. 7, 1954 2,696,929 Monteral Dec. 14, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,150 Great Britain 1888 677,913 France Dec. 19, 1929 650,264 Great Britain Feb. 21, 1951 653,689 Great Britain May 23, 1951 

